Multiple Agencies Search River for Missing NC Firefighter

A North Carolina firefighter is still missing after going for a swim in a North Carolina river over the weekend.

The firefighter, whose name has not been released, was boating with other firefighters on the Tar River in Greenville while off duty on Sunday evening, according to a Facebook post from The Red Oak Community Rural Fire Department, where the missing firefighter volunteers.

He and another went swimming near the bridge at the Greenville Boulevard and 10th Street intersection.

But he “didn’t make it to shore,” the Facebook post says, and he is believed to have drowned.

A search started shortly after and has continued into Monday, it says. Several agencies, including the Red Oak Fire Department and the Greenville Fire/Rescue Department, where the missing firefighter works full time, are involved in the search.

Greenville Fire Chief Eric Griffin said in a video posted on the department’s Facebook page that officials will be searching for the firefighter all day.

“I know that this is going to be a tremendous loss for our department but we will stay strong and we will work to find him and make sure that we can comfort the family as well,” he said in the video.

The department also thanked those involved in the search on Facebook.

“We are so thankful for all who have come to help us bring our friend and coworker home,” the post says.

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